International Art Exhibition and aid for bees. “Bee Art” was initiated by artist Petra Rau. What started as an appeal for artistic action to protect the bees in social networks, turned into a collaboration with the Hamburg gallery Faszination Art. Petra soon had the participation of more than 35 international artists.

Roughly 80 diverse works of art in various mediums including drawing, painting, printing on paper, canvas, wood, plastics and glass art. The opening reception was Thursday, May 08 2014. The show runs through May 28th. Numerous exhibits were donated by artists to aid in bee protection.

“Bee Art” is part of the project “Hamburg-hums!” with patron Daniela Schadt supporting. In cooperation with “Hamburg-hums!” are activities that have been developed in conjunction with the exhibition. Included are a concert, raffle, and honey sales.

Why So Much Attention For Bees?

Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is a serious problem threatening honey bee health and the economic stability of commercial beekeeping and pollination operations worldwide. The cause of CCD has yet to be determined.

Bees pollinate 80 percent of our flowering crops, this is about 1/3 of everything we eat. Losing them would affect dietary staples such as apples, broccoli, berries, nuts, asparagus, and cucumbers. Beef and dairy industries could also be threatened if alfalfa is not available for feed.

On December 1, 2013 the European Commission (EC) imposed a two-year ban on a class of pesticides known as neonicotinoids, now the world’s most widely used type of insecticide. Neonicotinoids are one of the leading suspected causes of colony collapse disorder. The EC action will restrict the use of three major neonicitinoids on seeds and plants attractive to bees, as well as grains.

The U.S. has fallen behind in their commitment to protect bee populations. The U.S. EPA still won’t follow Europe’s lead and suspend or ban the use of neonicotinoid pesticides. They have however, awarded $460,000 in funding for research into integrated pest management.